NICARAGUA
Known as the “the land of lakes and volcanoes,” Nicaragua is a representative democratic republic. It is the largest country in Central America. To its north lies Honduras, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The country is located just 11 degrees towards the north of the equator.
The three distinct geographical regions of the country are- the Pacific Lowlands, the North-Central Mountains or Highlands and the Atlantic Lowlands.
HISTORY
Christopher Columbus was the first European known to have reached Nicaragua in 1502 and the first Spanish permanent settlements were founded here in 1524.
From the early 1500s until it gained independence in 1821Nicaragua remained a minor part of the Spanish colonial empire.
During the country’s first century of independence, conflict between liberal and conservative factions made political stability impossible, so that Armed U.S. forces had to intervene several times to impose order.
After a bout of dictatorship, communism and civil strife the country reached a peace settlement in 1990, and since then democratically elected governments have succeeded one another, though nation continues to struggle with severe economic problems, disagreements among political factions, and social inequalities.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The country has the largest lakes in Central America, which also fill the craters of many of the volcanoes and a chain of volcanic peaks dominate the western part of the country. Nicaragua occupies an area s of 129,494 sq. km and nearly one fifth of the total area is designated as protected areas like national parks, nature reserves, and biological reserves.
Most of Nicaragua has a tropical climate, though the highlands are cooler. From May to December is the dry season and between June and December falls the rainy season. It’s best to visit the country during the cooler dry season, though which can be very hot in the Pacific lowlands and carry lightweight cottons and linens.
PEOPLE, CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
Out of the total population of 5.9 million, most of the people are of mixed European and Native American ancestry, but the country also has minorities of primarily Native American, African, or European descent.
The official language is Spanish and English is spoken very sparingly. Other languages like Creole, English and indigenous languages are spoken along the Atlantic coast.
The western half of the country has a marked Spanish influence, having a similar culture to other Spanish-speaking Latin American countries since it was colonized by the Spanish.
However the eastern portion of the country was once a British protectorate and their culture is similar to that of Caribbean nations.
ECONOMY AND CURRENCY
The monetary unit of the country is Cordoba (NIO). The economy of the Nicaragua is primarily based on agriculture and depends upon export of cash crops such as bananas, coffee, sugar, beef and tobacco. Poverty is rampant in the country and it is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
HOW TO REACH
Air
The TACA airline operates from Miami to Managua and the Atlantic Airlines operates flights between Managua and several destinations in Honduras, as well as a service from Gran Cayma.
Augusto C Sandino International Airport (MGA) (Managua) is the main airport, which is 12km (7 miles) north of the city. Bus and taxi services are available at the airport.
Water
Shipping lines from Nicaragua, as well as Central American, North American and European countries serve the major ports of Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas and Puerto Sandino.
CAPITAL AND MAJOR CITIES
The capital of the country Managua is its largest city as well and since it lies on geologic fault lines, severe earthquakes destroyed Managua twice in the 20th century. The city has a population of about 1,680,100 and was declared the national capital in 1852.
The other main cities are- Leon, Chinandega, Granada, Esteli, Matagalpa, Jinotega, Juigalpa and Ocotal.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
In the environs of Managua, make the most of several volcanic crater lagoons, which have boating, fishing and picnicking facilities.
Visit the still-active Momotombo volcano and the shore villages, by taking a boat trip frm the shores of Lake Managua.
At the Tiscapa Lagoon, you can fly across the volcanic crater from platforms connected by zip lines, and these are called canopy tours.
At Lake Nicaragua if you can go kayaking around the island Ometepe Island you have a good chance of spotting monkeys hanging from the trees.
If you are looking for more physical activity, go hiking in the Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve, where you can see a wide variety of orchids in the cloud forest and climbing the volcano itself leads to spectacular panoramic views.
For the best aerial view of Nicaragua's volcanic craters, take to the skies onboard a hot air balloon.
Swim in the clear waters of Somoto Canyon, a remarkable geological wonder, which only became known to the outside world in December 2004.
At the resort town of San Juan Del Sur you can watch some of Nicaragua's finest waves and go surfing on the Pacific coast.
Leon, the intellectual capital of Nicaragua, is charged with an artistic buzz and contains a university, religious colleges, the largest cathedral in Central America and several colonial churches, which warrant a visit.
The splendid city of Granada, located at the foot of the Mombacho volcano, has some beautiful colonial buildings like- the cathedral rebuilt in neo-classical style, the Church of La Merced, the Church of Jalteva and the fortress-church of San Francisco.
See the beautiful, coral-fringed Corn Islands (Islas Del Maiz) by taking a boat from Bluefields on the Caribbean coast.
The Indio Maíz Biological Reserve has an exotic wildlife and some of the animals inhabiting the reserve are jaguars, eagles, macaws and manatees.
If you are looking to unwind or a piece of the sun, Nicaragua's Pacific coast has a number of stunning (and mostly deserted) beaches, which are just ideal.
Watch Paslama turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs in the Rio Escalante-Chacocente Wildlife Refuge, which is one of only six beaches in the Americas where you can encounter this species.
In the capital city of Managua visit the National Museum, listen to a concert in the Rubén Darío National Theatre.
Shopping
There are a number of items you can take back as gifts and souvenirs for friends and relatives back home- chose from gold work, hand-carved wood, embroidery, shoes and paintings and traditional crafts available, particularly in Masaya, at the handicrafts market.
In Managua you will find several shopping malls and markets selling everything from clothes to food to household goods.
Nightlife
With bars, restaurants, clubs and a casino the Zona Rosa in Managua is the up-and-coming district to party in.
If you have an artistic bent then regular concerts, exhibitions and cultural performances are hosted in the Rubén Darío National Theatre. From lively beach side bars to busy city nightclubs and some cinemas, there is a sprinkling of nightlife in several parts of the country.
Cuisine
Chinese, French, Italian, Latin American and Spanish cooking styles can be found in the restaurants so everyone can choose their favorite cuisines from a wide variety.
Sample some national delicacies along with the local beer, which is cheap:
A dish of fried rice and pinto beans called Gallopinto, tripe soup called Mondongo, a shredded beef dish called Picadillo, a dish made of pork and tortilla fish, called Ajiaco and a type of cheese and cornmeal biscuit, called Rosquillas.
GETTING AROUND
Air
Internal flights are worth considering given the relative size of the country and the difficulty of some ground travel routes and La Costeña and Atlantic Airlines cover a wide range of internal routes.
Water
A boat service runs between Blue fields and the Corn Islands twice-weekly and it is also possible to visit the 300 or so islands on Lake Nicaragua, which is very beautiful.
Road
Probably the biggest single hazard to road travellers in Nicaragua is road safety. In general, road conditions are poor though some main roads connecting major towns and cities are paved and in a reasonable state. Taxis, buses and car hire are all available for road travellers.
WHERE TO STAY
4- and 5-star hotels with conference facilities are available in both Managua and Granada. Other than that there are self-catering apartments in Managua, motels along the Pan-American Highway and modern resort hotels along the west coast, offering a good standard of accommodation. Some excellent hacienda-style accommodation and jungle lodges can be found as ecotourism is also developing in the country. For the benefit of the budget traveler there are guest houses throughout the country.
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